Scenes From Our Weekend + Shaved Zucchini Salad Recipe

Happy Monday!

Thursday night I headed out for a girl's night with a few of my best friends.  We hit up The Avondale Wine and Cheese Bar which is always a favorite spot.  They have a great wine selection, and so many delicious meat and cheese choices! We devoured this platter. 

Starting to pack for vacation!

Tee Shirt + Bathing Suit + Necklace (available at Beckett Boutique in town)+ Shorts + Tote

Friday we took the kid's shark teeth hunting after dinner.  Sterling is so good at finding them.  

We caught a pretty gorgeous sunset too.

Sterling and Matt found all these in like 20 minutes. It slightly terrifies me that there were this many teeth on our beach! 

Sweet Frances Moon.

Friday's OOTD

This dress just came out in 2 new color options.  It is such a great easy tee shirt dress.   I am wearing a size 1 for reference.

Dress (also in blue stripes) + Necklace + Shoes

Saturday was the Farmer's Market.  I have a new breakfast obsession from The Outta My Huevos food booth.  It is Carolina gold rice with local veggies, feta, chimichurri sauce and 2 eggs over easy.  It is so good.

Right after the Farmer's Market we hit up the pool because it was such a hot day!

Wearing:  Hat + Caftan

That night we met up with my parents for happy hour who were in town with some friends for the weekend.  I am so thankful I get to see them often because I really miss living in the same city.

Mom's Blouse was just restocked too, such a great white blouse.

My Outfit details:

My dress was just reduced.  It runs on the large side so size down at least one size. I am wearing a 2 but almost could have worn a 0.  It is fully lined and I really like the lace detail.

Dress (also Here and HERE) + Necklaces + Sandals + Ring

Sunday we went to church and then lunch with my Father-in-law to celebrate father's day early.  

Then a boat ride to No Name Beach.

I asked Frances Moon for a pretzel and clearly she was not in a sharing mood.

All that anger made her sleepy on the ride home.

Sunglasses + Cover-up (on sale)

I also wanted to mention Progeny Shoppe one of my favorite shops for the kid's is running a sale right now and most summer items are already 30% off and then you can use code SCHOOLSOUT to save another 10% making everything 40% off! 

This romper is one of my favorite outfits for Frances Moon.

A few other precious finds.  Photos by Petite Simone

Tunic + Cover-up

A few people wanted the recipe for this Shaved Zucchini Salad I made over the weekend.  It could not be easier! 

|| S H A V E D  Z U C C H I N I   S A L A D ||

- 2 squash

- 2 zucchini

- 1 small bag sliced almonds

- fresh basil

- juice from one lemon

- olive oil

- parmesan cheese

Using a vegetable peeler slice the squash, zucchini and parmesan cheese into strips and place in a bowl.  Drizzle with olive oil, juice of one lemon and salt and pepper.  Sprinkle in basil and toss all together.  Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium heat and cook the sliced almonds about 4-5 minutes stirring frequently so they don't burn.  remove from heat and place on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt.  Add to salad right before serving.

Smile Today!

Father's Day Gift Guide | All About Shoes

Father's Day is one week from Sunday!  That means it is time to get shopping for all the men in your life.  Matt and I will be out of town on Father's day so we decided to celebrate a little early with the kids this week and give Matt his gift.  Matt is a pretty simple dude and requested some new sneakers and Sterling wanted his to match- so they both picked out some New Balances.

Matt picked this bright blue pair called "The Summer Classic " which I really love.  

My two boys together with their matching sneakers.   It is pretty adorable that Sterling wants to be like Matt.

As you can see Sterling is still rocking his leggings.  He dresses like he is going for a run every single day:)

 Matt New Balances | Matt Shorts |  Sterling's New Balances

I always think shoes are nice gift idea.  Most men don't want to buy them themselves but they like them.  Last year we gave my Dad these Sperry's which are always a great choice.  

Nordstrom has a killer shoe selection right now.  I rounded up 12 pairs all under $200 and most are under $100,  that would make the perfect Father's Day Gift.

ONE | TWO | THREE
FOUR | FIVE | SIX
SEVEN | EIGHT | NINE 
TEN | ELEVEN | TWELVE

Thank you to this handsome guy for modeling and being an awesome Dad:)
Happy Early Father's Day Matt!

You can shop all the shoes below:)
Nordstrom will price match too, if you find any of these shoes cheaper elsewhere.   They always offer free shipping and free returns too.

Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.

Thoughts For Thursday

One week from Saturday we are headed back to St Maarten.  We went last year for 5 days and this year we decided to do a full week.  There was so much we didn't get to see or do because we were lazy our first few days.  So I want to know from anyone who has traveled to St Maarten what are your favorite spots, restaurants, beaches etc!  We want to see and do it all this time!

Two Recent OOTD's.

My addiction with off shoulder outfits continues.  I bought this dress on a whim from the Junior's section and I really like it.  It is lightweight material and I like the looser sleeves. I am wearing a size small in the dress, runs TTS.

Off Shoulders + Tassel Earrings both under $50 + Purse on sale + Sandals

This Equipment Blouse is currently 40% off.  Size down runs on the large side, I am wearing XS.

It also comes in white.

Blouse | Necklace | Purse | Sunglasses | Jean Shorts | Sandals

This picture of Frances Moon makes me smile every time I look at it. I kid you not she accessorized all this by herself down to the phone and purse.   And her sassy stance just makes it even better.  

Romper is Shrimp and Grits Kids

Thanks to the rec from my friend Caycee I ordered these hair vitamins and I really feel like they are working on my hair.  I have been taking them a little over a month and I feel like my breakage is not so bad and they are helping my hair to grow.

Sugarbear Hair Vitamins

I can't believe Sterling is done with Kindergarten, sniff sniff.  He seems so grown-up all of a sudden.  The good news is he still loves to cuddle and I am soaking up every minute of that.   I am excited for a fun Summer with him.

Selfie in my favorite mirror (from Crate and Barrel) at my parent's condo.  Plus this tee shirt is on repeat every week. 

Tee Shirt (wearing size 1) + Necklace

I made a spin on my Roasted Veggie Rice Bowls and subbed Quinoa for the rice and they were so good.

For the veggies I did roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes, purple cabbage, and avocado with green goddess dressing.

I love this idea of a hummus salad.  I eat hummus most days for lunch and I want to try this out.

I stopped by the Celadon Warehouse with the kids this week and they had some really cool stuff.  Every Sunday they have a fun Warehouse Event where you can take an additional 20% off prices.  They also have food trucks, jump castles and local vendors!  A fun Sunday activity with or without kids!

The event is at the warehouse not the actual store- the warehouse is located at 2221 Noisette Blvd)

The kids really wanted this bench:)

 and I fell in love with this teak table and stools.

Celadon just revamped their online site too and now anyone can shop not just locals! 

I am obsessed with these Vintage Turkish Yastik Rugs.  

I really want one for our house.

I also love these Charleston glasses.  How cute would these be for entertaining or as a gift? 

Also yes please to these Rebecca Atwood Pillows.

I just downloaded The Nest to read next.  I can't wait to have some down time to read while on vacation.  These days I have been too tired at night to read more than a couple pages.  I am hoping to read a few books while we are  gone.

Happy Almost Weekend! 

The Best Veggie and Chicken Stir Fry + Cooler Favorites for Summer

Every now and then I crave a good stir fry.   I shared this chicken stir fry recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook a few years ago but this time I wanted to add veggies.  I was just going to buy a jar of sauce to use but then read all the ingredients and decided why not make my own.  This meal takes a little effort but it is well worth it. You can always pre chop all the veggies ahead of time to have one less step at dinner time.  

The chicken is hands down the best stir fry chicken I have ever made or tasted.  The sauce is just amazing.  Sterling kept asking for more.

You can use any veggies you choose, I used what I had on hand.  

If you have never tried the Brown Rice from Trader Joe's in the freezer section it is a must.  My friend Ann recommended it to me and now I buy it every time I go.  The rice gets sticky like sticky white rice which I think is perfect for Asian inspired meals.

Enjoy!

|| T H E   B E S T  S T I R   F R Y ||

 1 bunch broccoli

 2 zucchini

1 red bell pepper thinly sliced

 1 red onion thinly sliced

brown rice or white

 green onions for garnish

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon hot sauce

 1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1.5 teaspoons sesame oil

 3/4 tablespoon corn starch

Bring a pot of water to boil and add broccoli and cook about 3-5 minutes.  If you just want to slightly cook the broccoli.   Drain and set aside.  In a large skillet over medium heat add 2-3 tablespoons of oil( I used peanut oil but any kind will work)  add in red onion, bell pepper and zucchini.  Saute about 5 minutes until starting to wilt slightly and then add in broccoli.   Cook for a few minutes.  Season all with salt and pepper.

Whisk together all ingredients from the brown sugar through the corn starch.  Then pour over veggies and let cook a few minutes.  Remove from heat and sprinkle with green onions if desired and serve with rice and chicken.

 || C H I C K E N ||

via My Father's Daughter

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes

2 tablespoons cornstarch 
 Coarse salt
 freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup peeled and minced garlic
1/4 cup peeled and minced ginger
1/2 cup minced scallions (white and green parts)
Pinch red chile flakes
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce


Toss the chicken with the cornstarch, a large pinch of salt, and quite a bit of pepper. 
Heat the oil in a large nonstick wok over medium-high heat (this is a gentle stir-fry). 
Add the garlic, ginger, scallions, and chile flakes if using them and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 
Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar and 6 grinds of black pepper. 
Boil on high for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has really caramelized, the vinegar has mellowed a bit, and the whole mixture is dark brown and sticky and lovely. 
Add the soy sauce and let simmer about 20 mins on low heat.

...........................................................

I had a request to share what coolers we use when we hit up the beach, pool or boat. 

Last year for Christmas my parents gave Matt a Yeti Cooler and it is honestly the best cooler.  He uses his often for fishing but we also use it for boat rides and longer excursions.   We have left drinks in there for 24 hours plus and it still will have ice and be super cold.

We have this white version.

Next up I want this version.  Our friends have it and I like it is a bit more portable than our bigger one.

Yeti Cooler

If we are just going to the pool for a few hours I love this Sunny Life Cooler.  It is the perfect size for water bottles, juice boxes and a few snacks- it will also hold a bottle of wine:)

Also HERE and HERE in different patterns

I was browsing through the Mark and Graham catalog last night and they had some really cute options.  I have never ordered from there before but may just change that with this cute wine cooler!  This would make a great graduation gift or hostess gift.  It comes with a wine opener and cheese board as well.  We often go to dinner parties when I want to bring chilled wine and this cooler would be perfect for that!  It also comes in a single version.

Wine Cooler

I also really like this matching insulated tote.  It looks like a nice size for a picnic or playground playdate.

Insulated Tote

I have heard great things about The Scout Coolers as well.  May have to get one of these next.  Our friends last weekend on the boat had one and I really liked the size.  They had this square one and it was the perfect size for food and snacks.

Any other cooler favorites??